Helen Lepalaan

The Estonian born mezzo soprano Helen Lepalaan studied at the Music Academy in Tallinn and at the conservatoires of Amsterdam and Maastricht in the Netherlands.

Helen Lepalaan was engaged for two seasons at Opera Zuid where her leading roles included the title roles in Carmen and Cendrillon and Rosina Il barbiere di Siviglia for which she received considerable critical acclaim.

Helen Lepalaan’s performances have also included Maddalena Rigoletto at Opéra Royal de Wallonie and Polina Pique Dame at the National Opera of Estonia,.  Her repertoire includes all the mezzo roles in L’enfant et les sortileges, Pastuchina Jenůfa, Blanche The Gambler (Prokofiev), Suzuki Madama Butterfly, Orlofsky Die Fledermaus, Cherubino Le nozze di Figaro, and Dorabella Cosi fan tutte.

Helen Lepalaan made her début at the Amsterdam Concertgebouw as Carmela La Vida breve (De Falla) with the Limburg Symphony Orchestra under Ed Spanjaard.  Her recent concert engagements have included Verdi Requiem with the Brabants Orchestra in the Netherlands and Berlioz Les Nuits d’été with the Netherlands National Youth Orchestra under Ludovic Morlot in the Amsterdam Concertgebouw and on tour.  She has also performed internationally as mezzo soloist in Pergolesi Stabat Mater, Bach St John Passion, Arvo Pärt St John Passion, Mozart Requiem, Beethoven’s Missa Solemnis and Ninth Symphony, Rossini Petite Messe Solennelle and in cantatas by Bach, Handel and Telemann. 

Helen Lepalaan’s appearances at the Festival Classique with the Residentie Orchestra under Neeme Järvi were broadcast by AVRO.  She also gives regular recitals of American, French, Russian and Estonian music. 

Helen Lepalaan recently performed Carmen at the Estonian National Opera and Orlofsky Die Fledermaus with Welsh National Opera which led to an immediate invitation to sing Dorabella Cosi fan tutte.  Her future engagements include Sesto in a new production of La Clemenza di Tito at Opera North.

September 2012